Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-04-03

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Thursday, 03/04/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus-Greece sign economic co-operation protocol
• [02] Foreign Minister visits Romania
• [03] Tensions reduced along buffer zone in Cyprus
• [04] Turkey must change attitude to gain EU favour Euro-Parliamentarian says
• [05] Cyprus Radio on the Internet

[01] Cyprus-Greece sign economic co-operation protocol

The agreement marks the recently upgraded economic co-operation between the two countries, setting up ambitious aims for entering the 21st century and a common course within the EC economic realities.

Before signing the Protocol the two Ministers and their delegations held wide-ranging consultations in Athens.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Greek Minister of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou referred to two chief elements in the economic relations between Greece and Cyprus: The accession prospect of Cyprus into the European Union and the opening up of new markets in the Balkans, the countries near the Black Sea, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East as a result of the peace process there. He also mentioned the marked improvement of the Greek economy as a good omen for the future co-operation between Greece and Cyprus.

The Cypriot Minister of Finance said that the targets of the previous economic protocol of March 1996 were met by over 90%. He then referred to the state of the Cyprus economy which, he said, is progressing positively, despite last year's unforeseen political tension.

[02] Foreign Minister visits Romania

During his stay in Romania, the Cypriot Minister will be received by the President and the Prime Minister of the country as well as the Speakers of the Assembly of Deputies and the Senate.

He will also hold talks with Foreign Minister Adrian Severin and Trade and Industry Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.

A political co-operation protocol was signed last year during a visit to Cyprus by Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Severin.

[03] Tensions reduced along buffer zone in Cyprus

"For the past two weeks Unficyp has noticed a drop in the number of incidents on a daily basis.

"The conclusion is that both sides are showing much more restraint than in previous months", he said.

Meanwhile government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said yesterday it would be premature and irresponsible to conclude that the ongoing UN- sponsored proximity talks had not yet yielded results.

He explained that the discussions were useful and added that "obviously we are talking about goodwill gestures".

However Cassoulides went on to say that he was not in a position to speak about the progress of the substance of the proximity talks.

He refused to comment on demands by Denktash that foreign tourists in the occupied north be allowed to visit the Republic.

"I would not like to comment on such matters because they are likely to be on the agenda of the proximity talks", Cassoulides said.

[04] Turkey must change attitude to gain EU favour, Euro-Parliamentarian says

"It would be very curious to put Denktash on an equal footing with the Cyprus government. We can't give gifts to Mr Denktash", Monfils told the Cyprus News Agency.

Commenting after Wednesday's session of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) Study Forum being held in Nicosia this week, Monfils said Turkey must go through a serious attitude change if its aspiration to join the EU is to come back into favour with the 15.

"Turkey must be convinced to change its attitude. If the EU-Turkey Customs Union was voted on again today, it would be rejected. The EU must put pressure on Turkey through the European parliaments to change", Monfils said.

The Committee co-chairman told the 40 or so ELDR delegates that the EU did want Turkey as a member, but not a s things stand now because the biggest hurdle to a solution in Cyprus "lies in Ankara".

Monfils was adamant the vast majority of EU-member states wished to see Cyprus in the EU irrespective of when a solution was found, despite German and British reservations to the contrary.

The head of the EU Delegation in Cyprus, Gilles Anouil, said the European Commission felt Cyprus' EU accession was possible, but "not preferable" given prevailing conditions.

He pointed out nevertheless that Cyprus' integration into the EU "would not be difficult" given that the island had already adopted almost half the EU laws required for harmonisation.

He added: "Turkish Cypriots see their economic future in the EU. They don't want to be a province of Turkey and most don't consider Turkey's EU membership as a pre-condition to a solution here", he said.

[05] Cyprus Radio on the Internet

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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